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First, our thoughts are with everyone affected by Hurricane Matthew. Members of our lottery team and their families are among those impacted. We send our hopes to all in our state and beyond for a fast recovery and healing.
Knowing there are so many things in life more important than lottery games, it is time to take a look back at the biggest wins of the week.
A $1 million prize was the biggest. But the best story is about two couples celebrating special times in life after each won half of Wednesday's $386,892 Cash 5 jackpot.
Lula McGhee of Granville County said the win is a mighty blessing. The retired CNA from Oxford said she will use some of the prize money to put together a bigger party for her husband of 54 years as they celebrate his 80th birthday with their three children, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
For a couple in Craven County looking forward to a long life together, the big win is an early wedding gift. Using numbers suggested by her fiancé, Raylanda McIntyre of Havelock bought one of the winning tickets at the Kangaroo Express on Main Street in her hometown. She said they plan to make home repairs and maybe take a vacation.
The $1 million winner is Dorothy Jones of Durham. She scratched off the 10th and final top prize in the Millionaire 7's game. The lottery is ending the game. Jones bought her lucky ticket at the Stop One Food Mart & Tobacco Shop on Miami Boulevard in her hometown.
A Wilkes County man almost gave away a lottery ticket worth $250,000. Jason Ray of Ronda was traveling with a friend when they stopped at the USA Mart on Salisbury Road in Statesville and bought two $5 Platinum Payout tickets. He asked his friend to pick which one he wanted to scratch. The rest is history.
Two players collected $100,000 prizes. Thanks to adding the $1 Power Play and a multiplier of 2, Keith Faust of Gastonia doubled his winnings in the July 16 Powerball drawing. Kimberly Grant of Gastonia won instantly on a Mega Bucks ticket.
Three players won $50,000 instantly:
- Juaneza Gooch of Durham ($10X The Cash)
- Darlene Odom of Mount Holly (Junior Big Ol' Bucks)
- Jimmy Smith of Lenoir (50X The Cash)
Janet Edwards of Rockwell is the second player to win $40,000 on a $2 Double Match ticket. With her win, four more top prizes are in the game.
Nine players scratched their way to $10,000:
- Israel Abebe of Cary (Carolina Millions)
- Raymond Baker of Statesville ($200 Million Blowout)
- Penny Dixon of Benson ($400,000 Bonus Cash)
- Renee Harger of King ($1,000,000 Bonus Cash)
- Kenneth Hinshaw of Greensboro ($1,000,000 Bonus Cash)
- Travis McEachin of Holly Springs (10X The Cash)
- Hollie Moss of Randleman ($4,000,000 Platinum Payout)
- Keith Richards of Matthews (Millionaire Bucks)
- Eddie Stanfill of Stanley ($10,000 Bonus Cash)
Ten more wins of $5,000 were awarded. The winners are from: Alexander, Asheville, Charlotte, Dallas, High Point, Lilesville, Monroe, Ramseur, Southern Pines, and Winston-Salem.
We hope everyone has a good and safe weekend. Take care and see you again soon here on the blog.
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